Hanging Doors And Windows

The first step in hanging a door is to make sure that the posts of the door frame are plumb. If the posts are not plumb the door will not hang properly. A door should remain in position, either open or closed, without the aid of a stop. It should not swing open or closed by its own weight. The same applies for window casements.

If the door posts are not plumb, the only solution is to fix 4.ae hinges in positions such that the door itself hangs plumb.

HANGING A DOOR WITH BUTT HINGES

Before you read the following section, look up butt hinges in the Door and Window Hardware page.

SEQUENCE OF OPERATIONS:

a. Set the door into the door frame.

b. Check whether there is a sufficient clearance all around the door (at least 3 mm, more in the dry season).

c. Mark the positions of the hinges, then take the door down and mark the length of the hinges on the door (Fig. 1).

d. Set the marking gauge from the middle of the pin of the hinge to the edge of the hinge leaf, and mark the distance on the edge of the door (Fig. 2).

e. Set the marking gauge to the thickness of one hinge leaf, and mark this on the face of the door (Fig. 3).

f. Chisel the recesses for the hinges in the door, and fix each hinge with one screw (Fig. 4).

g. Place the door in the door frame so that there is equal clearance around all the edges. A few thin pieces of wood between the door and frame will help to keep it in place.

h. Mark the positions of the hinges on the post. Remove the door.

i. Mark the depth and width of the hinge recess on the post, using the marking gauge.

j. Chop the recesses in the post.

k. Place the door in position and fix it to the door post with one screw in each leaf of the hinges. Close and open the door several times to see if it works smoothly. Notice in particular whether the door closes completely and does not scrape either post. It should stay closed by itself.

The same sequence as above also applies for casements.

ADJUSTMENTS OF THE HINGES:

Below are some tips for getting a door or casement to close properly.

If one hinge recess is deeper than the other, loosen the screws and pack the deeper recess with thin strips of wood, until the depths of the recesses are the same.

When a door binds (catches or rubs) on the hinge post, insert thin pieces of wood at the face edge of the hinges (near the pin) until the problem is relieved (Fig. 1). A strip about 1 cm wide and as long as the hinge will do.

When a door binds on the locking post, insert the wood strip at the back of the hinge, to force the door away from the lock post (Fig. 2).

If the wood strips are not enough to relieve the problem, you will have to remove the door and plane something off, alter the hinge recesses or even move them a bit up or down.

One passible reason that a door won't close well is that it is hinge bound. This means that the leaves of the hinges are set too deep. To remedy this, you must remove the hinge and place a thin piece of wood between the leaf and the post (Fig. 3).

When the hinge is screw bound, the heads of the screws obstruct the door so that it can't close properly. This is often the case when the screws are too thick for the hinges, or the heads are too large. The only remedy is to fix the correct screws (Fig. 4).